What is the difference between a settlement and a verdict?

In Kansas, settlement and verdict are two distinct legal outcomes that can result from an accident or lawsuit. A settlement is an agreement between the parties involved in which one side pays money or services to the other side in exchange for the other side’s agreement to drop the case. Settlements are typically reached in private and discussed between the parties and their attorneys. A verdict, on the other hand, is the court’s decision on the case when the matter is brought to trial. Usually, the verdict will include a judgment in favor of either the plaintiff or defendant and, if applicable, a monetary award. Verdicts occur in open court and, unlike settlement agreements, are binding. To summarize, a settlement is a private agreement to resolve a conflict while a verdict is the court’s decision following a trial. Both outcomes are intended to resolve the case, but settlements are typically less expensive and less formal than a verdict from a judge or jury.

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